Ted Demopoulos’
securITy
July
2005
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Protect Your Laptop from Theft
Laptop Theft Prevention
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The Ted Rap,
www.thetedrap.com, has a several
posts on the recent Ciscogate incident involving ex-ISS security
researcher Michael Lynn and his Black Hat presentation on Cisco Router
attacks. Feel free to visit and leave comments.
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I've been
writing high level Security Policy for a Fortune 500 company lately,
which brings us to "Protect Your Laptop from Theft." One client is
integrating this into their Security Policy. Another company has very
recently distributed this to all their laptop-toting employees as
required reading, which anyone may do for free if the attribution is
intact.
Protect Your Laptop from Theft
Laptop computers are often stolen. They are small, easily sold, and
valuable. When a laptop is stolen it is a major inconvenience at best, and
if company confidential data gets into the wrong hands the results can be
truly catastrophic.
Many professionals use a laptop, often transporting it between home and the
office. Most travel at least occasionally with a laptop. Laptops are
particularly vulnerable when traveling but are also often stolen from
offices and residences as well.
These simple steps should be taken to help protect laptops from physical
theft.
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Use a
locking cable and perhaps an alarm for your laptop, available at any
computer store. I don’t always lock my laptop, for example at home, but
often lock it in hotel rooms and even in my private office when leaving
for extended periods of time.
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Carry your
laptop in something other than a laptop bag, for example a briefcase or
backpack. Don't make it obvious your bag contains a laptop!
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Try not to
leave laptops in a car. This isn't always practical, but minimize it as
much as practical. Never leave a laptop, laptop case, or briefcase in
plain sight in a car.
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Watch your
laptop carefully in airports and train stations! Certainly do not put it
in checked luggage. Do not ignore or leave it alone for even a few
seconds. When going through security, place it on the x-ray machine
last, immediately before walking through.
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Many laptops
are stolen from businesses. If you don't know if it's safe to leave your
laptop unattended then ask someone. A colleague once had his laptop
stolen from a "secure building" at a police facility during lunch!
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Don't leave
your laptop or any laptop accessories visible in your hotel. In a drawer
covered by clothes is a good hiding place.
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If you take
a bus or shuttle, hold on to your laptop. Don't put it “in back” with
the other luggage.
It only takes a few seconds for a thief to grab a laptop. These simple steps
will help protect your laptop, your data, and even your company from
potential disaster!
Ted
Demopoulos, Consultant and Professional Speaker, 603-231-8782 (cell)
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